Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on federal authorities and the Kaduna State government to release Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 19, 2026, according to reports.
In a statement issued on May 15, 2026, Atiku described the continued detention as unjustifiable, urging the authorities to either charge el-Rufai in court or release him. He emphasized that holding el-Rufai without trial undermines the rule of law and called for his release to allow him to celebrate the Muslim festival with his family.
The ICPC has not officially commented on the specific allegations against el-Rufai, but sources indicate the investigation relates to alleged corruption during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023. El-Rufai's legal team has filed a motion for his release, which is pending before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Eid-el-Kabir is expected to be observed on May 20 or 21, 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon. Atiku's appeal adds to growing pressure from political figures and civil society groups calling for el-Rufai's release or a speedy trial.
